Michigan court takes case of frozen sperm, benefits

November 13, 2012 | AP The Michigan Supreme Court is hearing arguments thisweek in an unusual case that involves a deceased manfrom the Kalamazoo area and twin children conceived afterhis death.

The Social Security Administration is refusing to grantsurvivor benefits to the twins, who were born after in-vitrofertilization. The government says they shouldn't berecognized as heirs under Michigan law because theyweren't alive when Jeff Mattison died.

The Portage man froze his sperm while battling healthproblems that led to his death in 2001. His wife, PamMattison, subsequently went through artificial insemination,and the twins were born.

A federal judge says he can't solve the Social Securitydispute until the state Supreme Court decides if the kidsare considered heirs under Michigan law. Arguments arescheduled for Thursday.